Apple TV

Updated May 1, 2012

Figure from apple.com

Let’s say that you enjoy watching Netflix, on your computer, but you would like to take the picture to your big screen TV. Your HDMI cable will work to transfer the picture, but you hate keeping your computer open while you’re watching your show. A different option would be to connect to Apple TV. According to Apple, Apple TV gives users the access to endless entertainment. Apple TV allows viewers to stream thousands of HD movies, TV shows, music, and slide shows. The way Apple TV works is very simple.

The device is about four inches wide and one inch high. All you need to do is place the device near the television and hook an HDMI cord from computer to device. The device will then transmit the picture to the TV. In earlier posts, I have talked about television with the capability of having internet installed into it. I was curious to know if you need a Mac computer for this function to work. Squidoo, a computer website, mentions that you do not have to own a Mac/Apple computer to use Apple TV. It will sync with a PC just fine.

One major advantage that Apple TV has over the rest is the ability to incorporate an iPad. Lindsey Swan, of Evaluated Math, reported that the Apple TV is able to sync to your iPad and mirror the image, on the iPad, to the television. She mentioned that teachers are beginning to use Apple TV, in the classroom, because they are able to roam around the room with the iPad. They are able to move slides on the projection with the iPad, instead of a stationary computer.

The price of owning the Apple TV is only $99. CNET, a computer information website, says the Apple TV's advantage is its low price, with built-in Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi can even project the internet to your television, without having to buy a new TV. CNET show the way the Apple TV works in a demonstrational video to the right. It shows users the simple model and how easy it is to store. It has an interface similar to Netflix in separating certain movies and shows. It flows from show to show and the picture quality is in a high resolution, which can be poor in the Netflix viewing.

Apple Continues to make strides, in the market, of all types media. I can only imagine what their next big product will be

Web Streaming Services

Updated May 1, 2012



Figure 1 Umpost.com

Web streaming services are the new wave, for entertainment. Services like Hulu and Netflix are among the top providers, for streaming content. The quora website says that Netflix has 100,000 physical DVDs, but the main use of Netflix is for streaming content. Netflix and Hulu provide a variety of options, from movies to TV shows.

Netflix was named 'Netflix' in 1996, not 'DVDs-by-mail' because the founders knew internet delivery would be ubiquitous. "Netflix provides two options for users. The first is the physical copy and the second is the streaming content; either through your computer, game counsel, or directly to your television; depending on if you have any of those options. The subscription fee for Netflix was between eight and nine dollars. However, in recent months, the subscription has risen to sixteen dollars per month.

Figure 2 themorton.com

Hulu offers a different spin, on streaming content. Hulu allows users to watch TV shows for free. They might not be the most recent episodes, but the content is free. Netflix will not allow you to watch your favorite show immediately after it airs, but for eight dollars a month, Hulu lets you view the most recent episodes of your favorite TV shows. Umpost mentions the pros and cons of the two services and reminds users to take advantage of the free month Hulu offers.

How do these services do so well? Hulu had 2 million subscribers for the 8/month service while it had 38 million visitors total. Bedbullit provided the number of Hulu users, in 2011. This is a great example of how many people are making the change to streamed content. The incline in users streaming content is believed to be because of the convenience of having all your favorite shows, in one location. The Mortan report states that Netflix has 23 million viewers. These are just two streaming sources available, on the internet. According to Magnet Video, streaming content has jumped 32%, from 2010. If these stats continue to increase will movie people still go to the theatre? The New York Times says

“The 24-Hour Movie now streams instead of unspools, filling our screens with images that, more and more, have been created algorithmically rather than photographically.”

Users will more likely wait for their content to get to their Netflix and Hulu instead of going to the theatre. These stats show that a continued increase could be inevitable. However, if you are a person who enjoys going to the theater or sitting at home watching the tube then do not worry because those mediums are not going anywhere any time soon.

Second Screen



Figure 1 New York Times

Updated May 1, 2012

Second Screen! Have you ever heard of this feature? It is what a lot of TV watchers are now using to avoid commercials that would otherwise interrupt their television experience. Many users watch their favorite shows, but as soon as a commercial comes on, they can choose to stream a new show or blog about the show they are currently watching. The ads are still on the screen, but the watcher’s attention is now diverted. Second Screen entertainment might be able to get away from full length commercials, but not all of the ads.

You might think, “Why would advertising companies want to invest in Second Screen advertisement?” According to forbes.com “eMarketer predicts that in 2012 about half of all U.S. mobile phone users will own smartphones, and about 25% of all internet users will own a tablet (mostly iPads). Additionally, over 70% of those tablet owners are already using their device simultaneously while watching TV, almost daily.”

CEO Seth Tapper, of Second Screen, gave an example to CYconvergence of how the Second Screen model works. If users are watching a specific TV show, like American Idol and commenting on the singers via the website, with their tablet, a full 30 second ad for Pizza Hut is being aired. An ad will also appear on their tablets, with a menu, and a possible “order now” button. The user might not be listening or watching the 30 second Pizza Hut commercial on TV, but they are still being exposed to the advertisement via their tablets.

Second Screen Networks defines Second Screen as social TV audiences being connected through their Second Screen. They are still linked to TV advertisements while also being exposed to running TV spots. The graph located to the right of the article, from Second Screen Networks, depicts how the connectivity works.

Companies are working to develop apps that will connect advertisements to all of your Second Screen using. Randal Stross, a writer for the New York Times, wrote an article about how apps will be trying to get users to opening up their Second Screen first  to keep them from opening their usually screen (TV) first. Posted to the right is a video showing the interaction available through second screens.

 Advertisers benefit through Second Screen because it will be accessing a site identical to the one the viewers are already watching, ultimately exposing them to the same advertisement they are already being shown, on the first screen.

Laws on web broadcasting?

Streaming Concercens

Updated May 1, 2012

Web broadcasting and web streaming are new technologies allowing for you to gain access to your favorite TV shows from you computer, internet TV, and mobile phones. I have spoken recently in my blog about all the perks that come along with using these devices. It gives you the opportunity to take entertainment outside of your home.

In recent news a new company called Aereo says they have made an antenna small enough to be placed on your finger. Allowing you to get channels on the go, in your home, and even record it to a DVR. Aereo says the antenna can be placed on a tiny interface on any device you want, without cable cords or cable boxes. Sounds like the perfect package for only 12 dollar a month after a free trial right?

Wait on second! Just after two weeks after its launch. Two federal lawsuits were filed on Aereo for violating copyright laws and seeking to shut it down before any profit is given to the company this according to wired

Dont worry yet.

Now do not worry not all of your favorite sites like Netflix are closing down. The copyright above has to deal with the way the shows are being transmitted to their user’s devices. The antenna or tiny antennas pictured left is suppose to let Aereo to retransmit their over the air broadcast. This is where organizations like FOX and ABC find they are violating the copyright law.

Should this be something we should worry about? I think looking at the way that Aereo is using the antennas to provided channels for users is convenient. The down side we would have to look at is losing major cable providers. Broadcastenergering noted

“the service can potentially erode high-level contracts that major networks have with cable operators, since it’s unlikely the channels are seeing much profit from the creative repurposing of content that Aereo is providing.”

I think the best message that comes out of this lawsuit being followed is major company and cable providers are not going to make this easy transition to mobile TV and other services unless they get a cut of the money as well. Techcruch reported that the service Netflix brought in third quarter revenue of 822 million dollars. You can see how companies like Verizon are trying to team up with a company to provide stream videos and television shows the right way. There is a lot of money in a booming business of web broadcasting. A business like Aereo could really change the world of streaming if they law suit falls through.

Video Chating

Web Chatting

updated May 1, 2012

Web broadcasting has been used for news castings, radio stations, and for personal use to use for blogs, etc.. Technology has been on the rise from land lines, to cell phones, and now giving users the ability to chat face to face.

Face to face communication allows you to see face expressions and read peoples body language. New technology has allowed users to communicate face to face through device like web broadcasting. One software system that is used by a lot of users is Skype.  Skype allows you to video chat through your tell phone, computer and even through your computer if you have the set up. Skype website allows you to access other advantages with the network. It mentions how it can bring you closer to work clients, celebrations, and in-depth converstaitions, when you are not able to be there.  This is one popular system for video chatting

Paltalk is a video chatting system that blows Skpe out of the water.

·         Paltalk gives you:

o    Access to thousands of video chat rooms

o    SuperIM: free video calls with up to 10 people

o    SuperIM URL: free, customizable URL where friends and family can reach you directly from their browser

o    Access to all your chat buddies:

o    Our community of over 4 million members. Meet friendly people in your area or people around the world with similar interests.

FFrom paltalk.com

Paltalk gives you access to ten of your friends at once. This is gives you the chance to have a party chat with ten of your closes friends. Unlike Facebook chat that allows you to access a number of friends through basic text chats. Paltalk lets you see the expressions of your friends to understand exactly what they are trying to say. This is similar to the party chat line that you could use with your land line phone back in the years. This shows you how media has changed over the years.

Now I don’t want to make you think that Facebook does not allow you to video chat. Facebook as recently teamed up with Skype to bring video chatting to Facebook users. It gives you advantages similar to Paltalk. If you are curious you can check out the Facebook bring your conversations to life.

Chat video I believe will be on the rise in the years to come. Iphones already allow you to use Sykpe through your cell phones when you are on the go. I can see every phone in the near future to be on the same track as the iPhone.  

HDMI Cables

updated May 1, 2012

HDMI cables are a link to computer to TV’s it allows you to connect your computer to your television. Thinking of web casting you can get the feed from your computer. The best part about HDMI cables is you can put the picture from your computer on to your television. In my previous blog I spoke about televisions that already have the perk of getting the internet. Those televisions are ideal for getting web cast feed from all type of networks. If you have already spent the money on a TV that does not have the network feed HDMI cables are the best way to stream the feed. HDMI cables allow you to get internet access to the programs you have already purchased like Netflix and hulu. The best part about HDMI cables is you have the portability of your lab top to class, work and other functions. HDMI hook ups are usually included in a lot of new TV’s if you were to got to someone else’s home and hook up your computer you would be to watch anytime of video or movie without going to the rent store to watch the video. You would probably be the man or girl of the hour with the hook up to watch movies.

HDMI cables cost a reasonable price. The connection is the main thing. It can be a pain paying for a cable to find out it does not work for you computer or TV. Yes, there is  some down sides. Not every TV is set up for an HDMI hook up. If you have a TV that is not made after a certain time period it can be difficult to try to hook your computer. It maybe be an inconveicens to carry your HDMI cable around where every where you go. That is where the upside to having TV’s with the internet built in can be a plus no messy cords. If you look at it in the long run you will be able to hook up your computer to a TV where ever you go. You do not have to worry about your hulu or Netflix account being stuck on your TV at home your HDMI cable gives you the portability to take you live stream anywhere you go. Now if you can show your family friends the new technology of having a simple cable to connect to numerous outlets to view the web and movies.

Is Cable becoming obsolete?

updated May 1, 2012

Looking through the feedback I received from my students in my digital media class. A question was raised that I decided to do some research on. Is cable becoming obsolete? TV’s are now becoming equipped with internet access making it easier to surf the web and connect to movies and TV shows.

U-Verse

Figure from At&t.com

U-Verse is a new programming package from At&t. It provides TV coverage and internet access. Now you might be thinking TV coverage? Is that not the same a being hooked up to cable? I thought the same thing. U-Verse is a system that allows you to retire cable. This service provides you with a DVR, multie view channel browsing and streaming for numerous HD channels.  It even gives you the opportunity to stream pictures and music directly to your TV for your own personal use. You can view all the opportunities with U-Verses at Wikipedia it offers a variety of uses if you’re interested in taking a further look into U-Verse.

Verizon’s Vision

Figure from googl images

Verizon is not looking to be out did by its competitors. It was announced on Feb. 6^th, in the wall street journal. That Verizon will be teaming up with Red Box a company where you can rent movies for two dollars at a drop box. Will be working together to give users an ability to stream a assortment of movies with the break of renting a free movie from a red box drop box each month. It is assumed that Verizon is also working with Comcast Crop. and Hollywood, which would supply Verizon a larger number of streaming rights.

Internet Connected TV’s

The improvement with Internet TV’s is it allows you to surf and stream the web with your television remote. Instead of having to sit on the on the floor with your HDMI cable hooked to your computer. You can relax on the couch doing everything you could do from your computer. Internet TV’s do not only provided you with the ability to use these new products above. On Squidoo it provides you with the top of the line TV’s you can purchase. Including a selection of options internet TV’s offer. It mentions how you can be connected to all of your social media sites, weather, and even stocks at the click of your remote.

With business like Verizon and At&t you have to think that cable one day will be obsolete. What do you think? If you could contact all of your friends without getting your computer do you even need regular cable?